Method and apparatus for handling,preparing and feeding rods for a thread forming machine



3,514,799 PREPARING AND EEDING RODS FOR A THREAD FORMING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. A.HousER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING June 2., 1970 F Filed March 8, l968 D ww @L QL.. mi..

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J. A. HousER 3,514,799 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING, PREPARING AND READ FORMING MACHINE June 2, 1970 FEEDING RODS FOR A TH Filed March 8. 1968 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1970 J. A. Housl-:R 3,514,799

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING. PREPRING AND FEEDING RODS FOR A THREAD FORMING MACHINE Filed March 8. 1968 12 Sheets-Sheet :5

High Mammut /I TTOR NE YS June 2, 1970 J. A. HousL-:R 3,514,799

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June 2, 1970 J. A. HousER 3,514,799

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June 2, 1970 J. A. House: R 3,514,799

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June 2, 1970 J. A. HOUSER METHOD `AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING, PREPARING AND FEEDING RODS FOR A THREAD FORMING MACHINE Flled March 8, 1968 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 #agg/5. Pm( 10mm Mmm June 2, 1970y J. A. HousE R 3,514,799

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METHODAND APPARATUS Foa HANDLING. PREPARING AND FEEDING Rons Foa A THREAD FORMING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1968 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Z5 l fa/77e: A. /Oz/Jer l N VEN TOR.

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June 2, 1970 METHOD AND APPARATS J A. HOUSE R 3,514,799

FOR HANDLING, PREPARING AND FEEDING RODS FOR A THREAD FORMING MACHINE Filed March 8. 1968 l2 Sheets-Sheet 1l I6 bu i /eofd fd/77e; A. /faz/Jef' INVENTOR June 2, 1970 J. A. House: R 3,514,799

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING, PREPARING AND FEEDING RODS Fon A THREAD FORMING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1968 12 Sheets-'Sheet 12 /ITTORNE YS United States Patent O1 ice 3,514,799 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING, PREPARING AND FEEDING RODS FOR A THREAD FORMING MACHINE James A. Houser, Houston, Tex., assignor to Standco Industries, Inc., a corporation of Texas Filed Mar. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 711,623 Int. Cl. B21k 27/04; B23g 1/52, 11/00 U.S. Cl. -162 28 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rod feed trough is aligned with a washing or cleaning apparatus for conducting rods thereto to clean them prior to passing them through a thread forming machine. Adjacent the rod feed trough is a secondary magazine for supplying rods, one at a time, to the trough. Switch means are provided for actuating ejector means to eject the rods, one at a time, from the secondary magazine to the trough; for positioning dampening movement means adjacent the trough to inhibit undesired movement of the rod When it is in the trough and for moving the dampening means to accommodate reception of each rod into the trough.

As each rod is ejected into the trough from the secondary magazine, additional switch means actuates a spinning mechanism which engages the rod in the trough and imparts rotation thereto as well as longitudinal movement to move it into the washing apparatus.

Also, as each rod is ejected from the secondary magazine into the rod trough, switch means is actuated to eject a rod from a primary magazine into vice means which hold it while at least one end of the rod is chamfered.

After the rod is chamfered, the chamfering mechanism is iirst withdrawn from contact with the rod, the vice -means opened, and the chamfered rod moved to the secondary magazine to replace a rod as one is ejected from the secondary magazine into the rod trough. When this occurs, switch means is actuated to place the ejector means on the primary magazine in position to thereafter eject a rod to the chamfer mechanism when another rod is ejected from the secondary magazine into the rod feed trough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for the handling, preparing, and feeding of rods to a thread forming machine.

Description of the prior art SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling, preparing, and feeding rods, one at a time, to a thread forming machine including a primary ejection means for ejecting rods from a primary magazine to a chamfering means for chamfering at least one end of the rod, ejecting means for ejecting the chamfered rod to a means for moving the rod to a secondary magazine, secondary ejection means for ejecting the rod into a rod feed trough, and a spinner mechanism for spinning the rods toward and into a washing apparatus and then to the thread forming machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method and apparatus for handling, preparing, and feeding clean rods to a thread forming machine.

Yet another object of the present invention Ais to provide a new method of automatically moving and preparing rods for threading with a thread forming machine including the steps of sequentially actuating a control timer which moves a spinner head to contact a rod in a rod trough that is spaced, but adjacent the thread forming machine, which spinner head spins the rod and also moves it toward the thread forming machine, there being a cleaning or washing apparatus through which the rod passes before entry into the thread forming machine, sequentially moving a dampening movement board to a position so that a rod may be ejected from a secondary magazine into the rod feed trough, moving the dampening board to a position adjacent the rod trough to prevent unwanted movement of the rod deposited in the rod feed trough, accommodating movement of the rods on the secondary magazine toward the rod feed trough when a rod is ejected into the rod trough, simultaneously ejecting a rod from a primary magazine as the rods move toward the feed trough to vice means which hold the rod while at least one end thereof is chamfered, and then moving the chamfered rod to the secondary magazine.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for handling and preparing rods for a thread forming machine including inclined primary mag- -azine means for supporting a plurality of rods in side by side relation, primary ejection means for ejecting one rod at a time from the primary magazine, chamfering means for chamfering at least one end of the rod ejected from the primary magazine, chamfer ejecting means for ejecting the rod from said chamfering means, rod carrying means for moving the rod from the chamfer ejecting means, inclined secondary magazine means for receiving the chamfered rod from the rod carrying means and supporting the rod in side by side relation to other rods on the secondary magazine means, secondary ejection means for ejecting one rod at a time from the secondary magazine, a rod feed trough for receiving the rod ejected from the secondary magazine, a spinning mechanism for spinning and moving the rod forwardly in the feed trough toward the thread forming machine, and suitable means such as a solvent bath and brush means for cleaning each rod immediately before entry to the thread forming machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for preparing and handling rods for a thread forming machine wherein the operation of preparing and handling the rods is automatically performed by sequentially actuated and co-ordinated means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatusv for preparing and handling rods for a thread forming machine wherein the operation of preparing and handlinng the rods is automatically performed by sequentially actuated, co-ordinated valve means in co-operation with other apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred form of the invention for handling, preparing, and feeding rods to a threading machine; it shows the relationship of the primary magazine to the chamfering arrangement, secondary magazine and rod feed trough;

FIG. 2 is a front end view taken along line 2 2 of FIG. 1 illustrating in greater detail arod feed trough, a movement dampening means, a spinner head mechanism, and washing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of primary magazine means, chamfer mechanism, conveying means, secondary magazine means, and a form of rod feed trough of the present invention for handling, preparing, and feeding rods to a thread forming machine;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 1 of the cleaning or washing means of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 illustrating in greater detail a form of the cleaning and washing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an end view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 illustrating a drive assembly for driving the brushes in the cleaning or Washing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partly in section, illustrating further details of some of the parts of the Washing and cleaning apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, partly in section, taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 5 illustrating one form of an arrangement of a switch means and its relationship to a rod traveling through the washing or cleaning means;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the .rod feed trough, the movement dampening means, and a portion of the secondary magazine switching means of the present invention and showing the rod feed trough support means partially phantomed in;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, partly in section, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1 and 10-10 of FIG. 12 illustrating some details of the spinner head mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the spinner head mechanism and the support framework on which it is carried adjacent the end of the rod feed trough;

FIG. 11A is a sectional view, partly in section, taken along line 11A-11A of FIG. 11 illustrating the relationship of a roller carrier block to adjustment means therefor;

FIG. 11B is a detail view of one portion of the invention;

FIG. l2 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1 illustrating the position of the spinner head mechanism when engaged with a rod that is positioned between the spinner head mechanism and the backup rollers;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the secondary ejection means to the secondary magazine when the ejector means is in retracted position and ready to move up and eject a rod into the rod feed trough, and also illustrates diagrammatically the relationship of the rod movement dampening means to the rollers on the rod feed trough when the secondary ejector means is in the position shown;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the ejector means actuated to eject a rod from the secondary magazine and again diagrammatically illustrates the relationship of the movement dampening means to the rollers on the rod feed trough when a rod is being ejected thereon from the secondary magazine;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 1 illustrating in detail one of the rod support means used in conjunction with the chamfering mechanism and a rod elevator means adjacent the secondary magazine for conveying rods from the chamfer mechanism to the secondary magazine;

FIG. 15A is a sectional View, partly in elevation, on the line 15A-15A of FIG. 15 illustrating diagrammatically the preferred position of the rod support means and rod when engaged by the vice means for chamfering at least one end of the rod;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagrammatic representation of 4 the main portion of the electrical and hydraulic system of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the electrical and hydraulic system used in conjunction with the chamfer mechanism and vice means which hold each rod as it is chamfered;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the primary magazine to the chamfering mechanism and one of the gripping or vice means used in conjunction with the chamfer mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18 illustrating in further detail the relationship of the primary magazine, primary ejection means, gripping or vice means of the chamfer mechanism, and chamfer means of the present invention as a rod is ejected from the primary magazine;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 but illustrating the position of each rod in the gripping or vice means of the present invention and ready to be engaged by the chamfering mechanism for chamfering of the rod;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 21--21 of FIG. 20 illustrating the relationshipI of the chamfer mechanism as it moves in to chamfer an end of the rod which is engaged in the gripipng means of the present invention;

lFIG. 21A is a view along the line 21A- 21A of FIG. 20 and shows a means for adjusting the framework of each vice means;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the gripping or vice means and ejector means associated therewith with a covering plate removed;

FIG. 23 is a partial sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22 illustrating the relationship of the ejector means to the gripping means when the gripping means is in open position;

FIG. 24 is a partial view of the chamfer head blades engaged with a rod, and means mounted with the chamfer means of the present invention and shown as engaged with the end of the rod for actuating a switch means;

FIG. 25 is a View taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 1 illustrating Wheel and track means for adjusting the gripping means of the present invention to accommodate rods of varying length;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the vice means showing it in open position and the ejector means associated therewith in elevated position;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view in perspective on the line 27-27 of FIG. 1 and illustrating suitable means for adjusting one end or headboard of the primary magazine means to align it so that the rods will be aligned endwise properly when ejected from the secondary magazine means into the rod feed trough; and

FIG. 28 is a partial view illustrating in greated detail the adjustable support means for the rod feed trough.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRE EMBODIMENT Attention is directed to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 Iwherein the apparatus for preparing, handling, and feeding rods to a thread forming machine is generally designated by the numeral 10. The invention 10 generally comprises a rod rack designated generally at 11, a primary magazine designated generally at 12, a chamfering mechanism designated generally at 13, elevator assemblies designated generally at 14, a secondary magaine designated generally at 15, a rod feed trough assembly designated generally at 16, a spinner head mechanism designated generally at 17, and a washing or cleaning means designated generally at 18. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a thread forming machine of well-known construction is illustrated by dotted lines at 20 in FIG. 1, and by partial View, at 20 in FIG. 2. The thread forming means 20 is adjacent the cleaning means 18 and receives cleaned rods therefrom and performs the function of pressing threads on the outer surface of rods inserted at the entrance 21, using dies for formation of the threads on the rods.

WASHING OR CLEANING MEANS The elements and parts of the washing or cleaning means 18 are illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. The washing means 18 includes a suitable enclosure formed of metal or other suitable material with a window 26 of glass or plastic positioned in an upper portion or wall 27 of the enclosure 25 by removable clamps 28 to enable a viewer to peer into the enclosure 25 to view the operation of a portion of the cleaning or washing means 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, which is a view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 1, the enclosure 25 also includes end walls 29 and 30, sidewalls 32 and 33, and a bottom wall 31 which are joined with the end walls and upper portion in any suitable manner to form the enclosure 25. It may be connected together in any suitable manner so that portions thereof may be removed for access to the interior.

A motor 36 is mounted in any suitable position such as on the upper surface of the bottom wall 31. The shaft 36a of the motor is connected to operate pump 37. The intake or suction side of pump 37 is communicated with a liquid -washing or cleaning solvent bath container 34 by means of the tube 33 which extends above the bottom of container 34 to inhibit slude and debris removed from the rods from being recirculated. A clean-out plug 34a is provided to clean out container 34 when neressary. The container 34 is formed adjacent the bottom of the enclosure by means of the partition 35 which extends across and above the bottom wall 31 in enclosure 25 and which has upwardly extending portions 34a and 34b secured by any suitable means such as welding to end walls 29 and 30, respectively, and by means of portions 34C connected with side walls 32 and 33 of the enclosure. The portion 34e connected with sidewall 32 is visible in FIG. 4 of the drawings, and the portion 34e joined by suitable means to wall 33 is visible in FIG. 5. The partition 35 may be shaped as shown in FIG. 4 to provide a sloping drain surface 35a to convey solvent liquid from opening 47 in slanted floor 41 beneath stainless steel wire brushes and 46 through tube 48 to the liquid reservoir O.

The discharge 38a of pump 37 is communicated through tube 39 which passes through opening 40 in end wall 30. The tube 38 may be bent as shown at 38b and is provided with a suitably shaped discharge nozzle 34e to spray liquid solvent on the brushes 45 and 46 and rod R and clean them. The brushes 45 and 46 are shown as engaged with rotating rod R and serve to remove any substance thereon and the washing liquid in turn cleans the brushes and may aid in removal of dirt or other substances from the rod R as it passes through the washlng machine 18.

The washing liquid and entrained substances fall to floor 41 positioned beneath the brushes 45 and 46 and iiow through opening 47 and tube 48 to liquid reservoir O. Any suitable liquid may be used to accomplish the desired result, and a suitable solvent serves the purpose quite well.

The brushes 45 and 46 are enclosed within enclosure 25 by the spaced walls 41a connected to floor 41. The end walls 41C are joined with walls 41a and extend upwardly to the top 41b which joins the walls 41a and 41r.`

together to form an enclosure within enclosure 25 to separate brushes 45 and 46 from the other components in the enclosure 25.

The walls 41a have an opening 41d therein through which rod R passes. Secured to wall 33 around opening 33a is an arrangement 33b having jets for jetting air on the rod R to clean it of solvent and other foreign matter before the rod R passes to the thread rolling machine. This also helps to keep the solvent in the washing apparatus. The air source is not shown, nor is its connec- 6 tion with 33b shown, as it may be made in any suitable manner.

As will be described in greater detail, the rod is spinning and moving longitudinally as it passes through openings 32a and 33a in sidewalls 32 and 33 of the enclosure 25 and between brushes 45 and 46.

It is important for the rod R to be spinning as it enters the thread forming machine 20 because such spinning action enables the rod R to enter the gripping action of the dies of the thread forming machine without preventing damage to the dies.

The brushes 45 and 46 are adjustable relative to each other so that various diameters of rods can be accommodated by the invention 10. The brushes 45 and 46 are mounted on members 50 and`51 (FIG. 4), which members 50 and 51 are in turn secured to rotatable shafts 52 and 53, respectively, by any suitable means such as nuts 54 (FIG. 5) engaged with the threaded ends of each shaft.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 in greater detail, each shaft 52 and 53 extends through a pair of shaft retainer members 56, which have ball bearings 57 therein to accornmodate rotation of each shaft 52 and 53. Each of the pair of retainer members 56 is mounted in the enclosure 25 on adjustable slides 60 at each end 60a and 60b thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the shafts 52 and 53 extend outwardly through openings 32h in the wall 32. Sprockets 62 and 63 are secured to the ends of the shafts 52 and 53, respectively.

Each of the travelling or adjustable slides 60 is supported by support rods 65 and 66 which extend through openings 60C in each of the slides. It should be noted that each of the traveling slides 60 is adapted to slide on the support rods 65 and 66. The rods 65 and 66 are mounted by suitable means such as set screws at one end 67 in openings through a support block 69 and are mounted at their other end 7'0 in openings through a similar support block 71 (FIG. 5). The blocks 69 and 71 are iixedly mounted in enclosure 25 by any suitable means. The rods 65 and 66 also extend through and are carried by a center support member generally designated at 72 in FIGS. 5 and 8.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a pair of rods 85 is provided with external threads a thereon. Each rod 85 is engaged with its respective slide 60 in an opening and has an enlarged end retained within such opening (not shown) by split plate 87 and screws 87a. The rods are threaded at 89a through the blocks 69 and 71, and rotation of the rods moves slides 60 along the rods 65 and 66. The rods 85 extend through front and rear walls 29 and 30, respectively, of enclosure 25, and rotate freely in an opening in the supporting front and rear walls. The rods 85 extend outwardly of the enclosure 25 and are connected at their ends 87 with hand wheels 88 for rotation of each rod or shaft 85.

With this arrangement, each of the traveling slides 60 is independently adjustable so that the space 90 (FIG. 4) between the brushes 45 and 46 is adjustable as desired for various sizes of rods R.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a continuous link chain 91 contacts each sprocket 62 and 63 to thereby impart rotation to the shafts 52 and 53, respectively, which in turn imparts rotation to the brushes 45 and 46, respectively. A motor represented at 92 may be secured adjacent the enclosure 25 as represented at 93 and includes a drive shaft 95 for imparting rotation to the sprocket 96 carried thereby. The chain 91 is engaged with sprockets 96, 62, 63, and 99, and the motor imparts movement to continuous chain 91 such as, for example, in the direction of the arrow 96a imparts rotation to the sprocket 63 and brush 46 in the direction of the arrow 97 and rotation to the sprocket 62 and brush 45 in the direction of the arrow 98 to continuously engage the rod'R and continuously clean it as the rod R is spinning and moving through the washing or cleaning apparatus 18.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, a guide member 100 is mounted by any suitable means such as bolts or welding beneath and at an angle with respect to sprockets 62 and 63 to some part of the frame, and slidably tting in guide 100 is slide 101. Attached adjacent one end of slide member 101 is the sprocket 99. The 4sprocket 99 is mounted on 101 by any suitable bearing means to permit sprocket 99 to rotate relative to its support, which is slide member 101. Thus, member 101 slidably iits in guide 100. The other end 101a of slidable member 101 is secured to one end 102a of spring 102, and the other end 102b of spring 102 is lixedly secured to some fixed support.

This arrangement permits sprocket 99 to move when blocks 60 are moved to adjust the space 90 between rollers 45 and 46 to accommodate different size rods.

The teeth 99a on sprocket 99 are representative of the teeth on the other sprockets.

The central support member 72 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8. It includes spaced block members 73 and 74 having an opening through each. The sleeve 79 is secured to each block by set screws 75, and the end of the sleeve extends out opening 32a in sidewall 32 as illustrated. An inner sleeve 76 which is slightly larger than the rod R to be threaded is received within sleeve 79 and retained therein by bolts 78 which t through flange 77 and into member 73. The aligned openings 81 and 82 in each sleeve 79 and 76, respectively, communicate with the bore 80 of inner sleeve 76 and wheel plunger 83 rides on the surface of the rod R as a rod moves through the machine. When the end of the rod R passes out from under the wheel 83, the wheel 83 drops by gravity to disconnect or open limit switch 104, thus holding the board in the position shown in FIG. 14.

The inner sleeve 76 can be changed to accommodate the particular size rod R being threaded.

The Wheel plunger means 83 located in the Washing or cleaning enclosure 25 is connected to actuate the switch means 104 as designated in FIG. 5. The Wheel 83 is secured to a lever or arm 103 which in turn is pivotally isupported and is secured to lever 831 (FIG. 16) for tripping limit switch means 104. The function and operation of the switch limit means 84 located in the Washing or cleaning means will be brought out and explained in more detail hereinbelow with regard to FIG. 16.

ROD FEED TROUGH As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 9, the rod feed trough generally designated at 16 includes a supporting base designated at 150, which base 150 includes a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending support plates 151, each of which is provided at its lower end with a foot member 153 (FIG. 3). The upwardly extending edges of each plate 151 may be provided with a reinforcing as shown at 151e and 152.

The rod feed trough 16 of the present invention may be formed of a conventional channel designated at 160 which includes a at base 161 with upstanding extending edges 162 and 163.

A plurality of roller support members 164 and 165 is mounted on the edges 163 and 162, respectively, in horizontally spaced, offset, notched openings in the edges as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 28. Support rollers 166 and 167 having suitable bearings are mounted in the supports 164 and 165 and support a rod R positioned in the trough as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9.

The rod R positioned on rollers 166 and 167 in the feed trough 160 has been ejected from the secondary magazine (FIGS. 1 and 3) into the trough 160 so that the spinning head mechanism 17 may engage and spin the rod R forwardly for entry into the washing apparatus 18 and then into thread forming machine It can, of course, be appreciated that when the rod R is ejected from the secondary magazine 15 and deposited on the rollers 166 and 167 in the feed trough 160, the rod -R may have a tendency to whip and move about in unwanted directions when engaged by the spinning head mechanism 17. A movement dampening means 170 is provided to prevent such movement and includes a movement dampening board 171 which extends the longitudinal extent of the feed trough 160, and when rod R is in the trough, the board 171 is immediately above, but spaced from, the rod R as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9, thus preventing the rod -R from moving in undesired directions and to insure that the rod R does not jump out the feed 160. A plurality of 90 angle arms 172 having a 90 bend at 173 is secured at one end 174 by suitable nut and bolt means 175 to the board 171 at spaced intervals as shown in FIG. 2.

The angle arms 172 are provided adjacent their other ends 176 with a collar 177 (FIG. 2) secured to pole 180 rotatably carried in plates 151 by any suitable means so that when the pole 180 rotates as will be described, the collars 177, arms 172, and board 171 secured thereto pivot about pole 180. The edge 151a of each plate 151 is shaped to provide an opening 188 to receive the longitudinally extending movement dampening pole 180.

A plurality of stop arms 182 spaced along feed trough 160 is secured at one end by any suitable bolt means 183 to edge 163 of the trough 160 and extends upwardly and is inclined outwardly at an angle as illustrated in FIG. 9. These prevent the rods R from bouncing out of the rollers in the feed trough when ejected from the secondary magazine. A cushion or stop means such as bolt 184 is positioned adjacent the upper end of each of the arms 182 by securing the nut 185 adjacent the upper end of 182 and aligned with an opening so that bolt 184 may be threadedly engaged therewith. As the board 171 is rotated arcuately outwardly from its position over the feed trough 160, it contacts the cushion `bolt 184 to prevent and stop further movement.

A depending arm 187 has at one end a collar 18811 secured by suitable means such as set screws to the pole 180 so that when the pole 180 is rotated, the arm 187 also rotates. The arm 187 is provided With openings 189 along its longitudinal length, one of which openings 189 is adapted to receive a nut and bolt means represented at 190 secured to an adjustable sleeve 191 held in position by lock nuts 191a, at each end thereof on rod 192, only one lock nut being visible. A piston rod 192 receives the adjustable sleeve 191, which shaft 192 is secured with the end of a piston (not shown) in a hydraulic cylinder 193.

A pivotal bracket member 194 extends outwardly from an end 193a of the hydraulic cylinder 193, and is secured by suitable nut and bolt means 195 to a bracket 196 secured with leg member 151 such that the cylinder 193 can pivot about the nut and bolt means 195 when the piston rod 192 moves in and out the cylinder 193.

As the rod R passes through the washing or cleaning means 18, the switch means 104 (FIG. 5) and more speciically the Wheel plunger 83 rides along the top surface of the rod as illustrated in FIG. 8. When the end of the rod R passes the wheel plunger 83, it drops downwardly further into the opening 80 to actuate the limit switch means 104 which in turn effects movement of the dampening means 170.

When wheel plunger 83 moves downwardly at the end of a rod R and actuates the movement dampening means 170, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the arm 187 moves inwardly in the direction of the arrow 200, and a bracket 201 secured by any suitable means to the lower end of the arm 187 and bolt 202 connected with the bracket 201 by suitable nut means 203 moves inwardly to enable the head '204 of bolt 202 to contact a depressible plunger head 205 of a secondary magazine switch means 206. This causes another rod R to be ejected onto the feed trough from the secondary magazine, as will be described. The secondary magazine switch means is mounted by suitable nut and bolt means 207 and bracket means 208 to the end 193b of the movement dampening means hydraulic cylinder 193.

9 SPINNING HEAD MECHANISM Referring to FIGS. 10, l1, 11A, and 12 of the present invention 10, the spinning head mechanism is generally designated by the numeral 17 as in FIGS. 1 and 2. As rods R are ejected from the secondary magazine generally designated at 15 by actuation of the secondary magazine switch means 206 (FIG. 9), the ejected rod R (FIG. 11) rolls onto support member 225 and onto an extension support member 226 mounted with a depending arm 225a of support member 225. Support member 225 is mounted and secured by any suitable means such as welding to the upper end of supporting rack leg 227 which is substantiallly parallel to leg 152 (FIG. 3) of the rod feed trough 16.

The spinning mechanism 17 of the present invention 10 is positioned between washing or cleaning means 18 and the rod feed trough 16 and is designed to impart rotation and longitudinal movement to the rod R so that the rod R will be fed into the thread forming machine 20 and rotated simultaneously to avoid damage to the thread forming dies.

A pair of spaced I beams 228 and 229 is secured with leg members 227. The I beams 228 and 229 extend outwardly transverse to leg members 227. The other end of -I beams 228 and 229 as illustrated with the end 228:1 of I beam 228 is secured to a cross support member (not shown) which in turn supports the cylinder head 230:1 of a spinner head hydraulic cylinder 230 by any suitable means such' as by bolts. Hydraulic cylinder 230 is double acting with the end 230b connected to tubing 231 for communication of fluid to the end 230b through spring loaded valve V. Tubing 232 extends from valve V and communicates with tubing 233 to the other end 230a of cylinder 230.

A piston rod 235 is secured with the piston (not shown) in the cylinder 230 and extends outwardly therefrom to be threadedly connected as illustrated at 236 with a vertically extending, horizontally movable plate member 237 which extends downwardly between the I beams 228 and 229, as illustrated in FIG. 10. A spinner head motor SM is carried by suitable means such as bolts (not shown) on gear reduction box 241 and is connected through the motor shaft 240 to rotate the gears in the gear reduction =box 241. The gear reduction box 241 is in turn connected with a shaft 242 for mounting a spinner wheel or spinning head 245 on one end thereof. The spinner head 245 is constructed of a suitable nonabrasive material which resists wear but which material is suitable for spinning the rod R and moving it forwardly about a rotational axis which will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow.

Gear reduction box 241 is integrally formed with the mounting block 246 which in turn is secured by any suitable means such as bolts to block member 247. A pivotal block 248 s secured 'by any suitable means such as bolts to the block 247. The nuts and bolts (not shown) which connect 247 and 248 together t in slots (not shown) in 247 so that 247 and 248 may be vertically adjusted relative to each other. This enables the motor SM and gear box 241 and spinner head 245 to be adjusted so that spinner head 245 can be centered on or relative to the rod R. Pivotal block 248 is secured to movable block 237 at one end 248:1 by suitable nut and bolt means designated at 249.

An arcuate slot 250 (FIG. l) in movable block 237 receives a bolt shaft 251 which is secured at one end with the pivotal block 248 and which extends outwardly through the slot 250 to receive a nut 252 to retain the block 248 immediately adjacent the movable block member 237. A threaded arm 255 is threadedly secured at one end through an opening in the bolt shaft 251 and is secured at the other end to a knob 256. A support member 257 is secured along the edge 237a of the movable block member 237 to receive an enlarged lip 258 of the knob 256. Thus, the support member 257 permits the knob 256 to be rotated therein and thereby positions the pivotal block 248 at any desired angle dened by the arcuate slot 250 such that the angle of the spinner head 245 may be adjusted relative to the rod R. The shaft 251 can be inserted in other suitable holes illustrated at 260 in block 248. This permits the head 245 to engage the rod R at a desired angle depending upon the size rod.

A cross support member (not shown) extends between and is secured to the I beams 228 and 229. An additional stationary cross support 265 is fixedly secured on top thereof as illustrated in FIG. l0, and guides or rods 270 and 271 are secured thereto by any suitable means such as set screws (not shown) extending through 265 and engaging 270 and 271 where they extend through holes 270a and 271a in 265.

The plate 237 is secured by screws 266a (FIG. 12) to a second cross member 266 which is below the members 247 and 248. The support bars 270 and 271, each of which is positioned adjacent one side of the movable plate 237 and parallel to I beams 228 and 229, respectively, as shown lin FIG. l0, extends through openings in member 266. One end 272 of each of the support bars 270 and 271 is received within and secured to the bar 265 and the other end 273 of each of the support bars is received by and secured to stationary block member 280 at the other end of 228 and 229 which is identical to member 265. The block member 266 is adapted to slide along the bars 270 and 271 -for movement of the movable plate 237 inwardly toward the rod R when the hydraulic cylinder 230 moves plate 237, which will be explained hereinbelow. It should be noted that block 280 is positioned on the opposite end of I beams 228 and 229 and that the support bars 270 and 271 extend through the block member 280 adjacent the ends 273 thereof.

A threaded limit movement bar 285 is threadedly connected to the lower end of the end of the cylinder head 230a of the cylinder 230 and loosely extends through an opening 286 (FIG. 1l) in the movable plates 237. The bar 285 is provided with nut and lock nut means 287 and 288, respectively, which are adjustable along the longitudinal length of the bar 285 to serve as a stop or limit of the spinning head mechanism by contact with plate 237.

A limit switch arm 290 connected with limit switch 291 on the end thereof is connected or mounted on the block 265 for a purpose to be brought out hereinafter. The bolt 249 is hollow and threadedly secured therein and extending therefrom is rod 293 for contact with switch arm 290 when plate 237 is retracted to cut off spinning motor SM and for starting motor SM when cylinder rod 235 moves plate 237 toward rod R in the feed trough so that 293 dsengages from arm 290.

A pair of adjustable back-up rollers 298 and 299 is positioned vertically relative to each other, with the roller 298 illustrated as being positioned above the vertical roller 299. The rollers 298 and 299 are secured to a carrying block 300 by suitable shafts 301. The carrying block 300 is provided with openings (not shown) in the lower portion thereof for slidably receiving the support bars 270 271 and is adjustable along the length of the bars 270 and 271. An arm 305 is threadedly engaged with the cylinder head 230m of the cylinder 230 and is provided with a hand wheel or knob 306 for rotation of the arm 305. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the other end 305a of the arm 305 extends loosely through an openings 380@ in the block 280 and is secured by a suitable pin means 307 to a curved lever arm 308 having a slot 309 therein for receipt of the pin 307. The other end of the arm 308 is secured by ya pivotal pin 310 to a stationary extended arm 311. The arm 311 is supported by member 280, The pin 307 extends upwardly from a sleeve 307m which is supported on a reduced portion 305b or rod 305. A nut 305e locks sleeve in place and permits rod 305 to rotate 1 1 relative thereto when the wheel 306 is turned. The pin slides in slot 309 when the rod or shaft is rotated.

An arm 315 is engaged in an opening in one end with block 300 and is held in position by lock plate 315a (FIG. lla) secured to 300 by bolts. The arm extends rearwardly from block 300 through an opening 28011 in member 280, and the other end 315a of the arm 315 is provided with an opening 316 for receipt of the curved lever arm as illustrated in FIG. 11A. If it is desired to adjust the block 300 and rollers 298 and 299 relative to the rod R, the knob 306 is manually rotated which thereby rotates and moves the arm 305 and moves lever arm 308. As the lever arm 308 is moved, it engages against the end of the opening 316 in rod 315 and thereby moves the arm 315 and block 300 in the desired direction with the block sliding along the support bars 270 and 271.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the rod R rolls oir member 226, it contacts a spinning head switching assembly means designated generally at 320 by engaging and depressing a spring loaded lever 321 which pivots about the pin 322 secured with block 300. Such downward movement depresses a spring 323 mounted on microswitch 324 to enable the lever 321 to depress plunger 321a of microswitch 324 and to actuate a timer 330 (FIG. 16), which in turn actuates a solenoid in the timer to actuate solenoid 810 (FIG. 16) connected to valve V. When this occurs, the solenoid 810 remains energized to hold valve V open until the preset timing period in the timer runs out. When solenoid 810 is energized, valve V opens to a position to permit hydraulic fluid to enter the spinner head hydraulic cylinder 230 through the end 230b thereof which pushes the piston head forwardly in the cylinder to move the piston rod 235 and plate 237 and movable block 266 along the support bars 270 and 271. As this occurs, the spinning motor SM is started since 293 disengages 291 and permits limit switch 290 to close and supply electricity to SM. Since the rod R has dropped into the rod feed trough 160 adjacent the rollers 298 and 299, the forward movement of the plate 237 enables the spinner head roller 245 to contact and rotate and move the rod R. The contact by the roller 245 with the rod R at the desired angle induces a spinning rotation to such rod while at the same time moves the rod R in a forwardly direction so that it can pass through the cleaning and washing means 18 and into the thread forming machine 20.

The movable plate 237 is limited in its movement by the stop nuts 287 on the threaded bar 285 to prevent unwanted or unnecessary travel of the spinner head 245 and also to provide longitudinal stop or adjustment of the spinner head roler 245 relative to the rod R. This provides the correct contact pressure between 245 and rod R so that the roller will not bind against the rod and will contact it properly to spin it and move it forwardly.

As illustrated in FIG. 1l, with the movable plate 237 positioned away from the rod R, the switch arm 291 contacts the shaft 293 extending from movable plate 237 and thereby opens limit switch 290 and shuts on the flow of electric current to the motor SM. As the plate 237 moves inwardly towards the rod R, the arm or contact 291 disengages from 293 and electric current flows to actuate the motor SM to rotate the spinner head 245.

At the end of the timing cycle, the timer 330 (FIG. 16) stops the flow of electricity to the solenoid 810, and this deactivates the solenoid 810 and allows the spring loaded valve V to move to a position to convey fluid through lines 232 and 233 to move the piston in cylinder 230 in an opposite direction to open or move the spinner head mechanism to its original position as shown in FIG. 11. When the plate 237 returns to the position as illustrated in FIG. 1l, the rod 293 contacts 291 to disconnect switch 290 and the circuit to the motor SM which terminates rotation of the roller head 245.

The timer 330 can be set for any number of seconds, or period of time. It must be set so that the spinner head 245 will travel in and engage and rotate and move rod R until the rod enters the dies in the thread forming machine 20'.

SECONDARY MAGAZINE As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 13, and 14, the secondary magazine of the present invention 10 is generally designated by the numeral 15. In FIG. 3, the magazine 15 includes a suitable base member 350 with pairs of vertical upstanding legs illustrated at 351 and 352 secured therewith. A support member 353 which includes a plurality of upstanding tabs 354 (only one of which is shown) is integrally formed or carried by legs 351 and 352. A secondary magazine base member 355 is pivotally secured by nut and bolt means 356 with the tab 354 such that if desired the nut and bolt means can be loosened and the secondary magazine base member 355 may be pivotally adjusted about the nut and bolt means 356 to change the angle of feed of the rods to the rod feed trough.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 13, and 14, rods R received from the elevator mechanisms generally designated at 14 (FIGS. 1 and 3) are received and roll on a plurality of cross member supports 357, each of which is secured with support members 358 in the form of angle iron pieces. Each of the cross support members 357 is suitably secured by any suitable means such as by welding to the secondary magazine base members 355 and the base members 355 are pivoted such that the cross mem;- bers 357 are maintained at a suitable angle so that rods R transported by the elevators 14 to the cross members 357 lwill roll down and become stacked as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 13 and 14. As illustrated in FIG. l, the secondary magazine ejection means generally designated at 210 is spaced along the longitudinal length of the members 358 adjacent the suitable cross support members 357 which are nearest the rod feed trough.

As illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 13 and 14, each of the secondary magazine ejection means 210 includes a hydraulic cylinder 360 having a bracket means 361 secured with an end 360a thereof for pivotally connecting the cylinder 360 with an extension 362 miounted on the secondary magazine base member 355. The bracket 361 and extension 362 are connected together by pivot pin 363. A piston rod 365 extends outwardly from the end 360b of the cylinder 360 and is provided at its end with an attachment 366 for connection with a depending arm 367 of a collar 368 which is secured on longitudinally extending shaft 369 by set screws 370.

An arm 372 is provided with a collar (not shown) similar to collar 368 and which is held on shaft 369` by set screws (not shown). At the other end, arm 372 is provided with a slot 372a for receiving a pin 373. Pin 373 is mounted on an ejector blade 374, -which blade includes a slanted upper surface 374:1 as illustrated in FIG. 14. A guide member 375 is mounted with the cross member 357 adjacent the upper portion thereof and envelops the sides of the ejector blade 374 to guide such ejector blade 374 during movement thereof. The pin 373 also extends through a slot 375a of the guide member 375 so that movement of the arm 372 upwardly will move the ejector blade 374 upwardly in the guide slot 375.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the rods R contact the cross members 357 and roll downwardly on the inclined surface of the cross members 357. A stop member 380 prevents the rods R from rolling off the secondary magazine 15 into the rod feed trough 160. A secondary magazine guide member 381 having a curved upper surface 381a is secured with cross member 358 adjacent the rod feed trough to insure that as the rods are ejected from the secondary magazine 15 that they will roll into the rod feed trough 160.

As explained hereinbelow, when the board 171 (FIG. 9) moves out-wardly to its extreme position, the microswitch 206 is actuated which actuates a solenoid as will 13 be explained hereinbelow to actuate a Valve which directs iluid to the cylinder 360. When iluid passes to one end of cylinder 360, a piston therein (not shown) moves piston rod 365 outwardly to pivot the arm 367. As the arm 367 pivots, the shaft 369 is rotated which causes the arm 372 connected thereon to move upwardly. Such upward movement of the arm 372 forces the ejector blade 374 upwardly to contact a rod R immediately adjacent the stop 380 and to thereby eject the rod R over the stop 380 and deposit such rod between the pairs of spaced rollers 166 and 167 of the rod feed trough 160, diagrammatically represented in FIGS. 13 and 14. The board 171 remains in the position diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 as long as limit switch 104 in the cleaning apparatus is open. When the rod R is deposited in the feed trough 160 and moves into the cleaning apparatus 18 and contacts wheel 18 to move it upwardly, the switch 104 closes and electric current is supplied to a solenoid which moves a valve to a position to conduct uid to the other end of cylinder 193 to move the board 171 to the position of FIG. 9. The valve-is spring loaded so that when the current is cut off the solenoid, the valve will move to enable iiuid to iiow to the opposite end of cylinder 193. When the board 171 moves, switch 206 is opened and uid is conveyed to cylinder 360 to lower ejector blades 374 on the secondary magazine.

A primary microswitch means is generally designated at 385 and includes the 'wheel on microswitch plunger 386 extending into microswitch box 387 secured with the cross member 357. As illustrated in FIG. 14, with a rod R being ejected into the rod feed trough 160, the microswitch 385 is adjusted along rod 391 so that the last rod on the secondary magazine depresses the wheel and plunger 386 and remains depressed until ejectors 447 on the primary magazine are lowered, as illustrated by the secondary ejectors 374 in FIG. 13.

When the ejectors 374 on the secondary magazine move down, as shown in FIG. 13, all the rods on the secondary magazine move forwardly. Such forward movement of the rods R releases the depressed plunger 386 to enable the plunger to move upwardly slightly above the surface of the cross members 357 (FIG. 13). Such upward movement of the plunger actuates the microswitch 385 which in turn actuates the primary ejection means generally designated at 390 (FIG. 1) to move the ejectors 447 upwardly and eject a rod from the primary magazine so that it can roll to the chamfering mechanism 13. Thereafter, as the chamfered rod is deposited on the secondary magazine, such 'rod contacts the plunger 386 to lower the plunger 386 below the surface of the cross member 357 and thereby close the switch to permit the ejectors on the primary magazine to lower so that the rods R on the primary magazine move against a stop 435. The primary ejector blades 447 when retracted are in position to eject a rod R when necessary.

It should be noted and as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the microswitch box 387 is adapted to be secured to a bar 391 so that the box 387 may be moved and adjusted along the longitudinal length of the cross member 357 as desired to accommodate the desired number of rods. The bar 391 is mounted adjacent cross member 357 by securing mounting members 392 to the cross member 357.

ELEVATOR ASSEMBLIES, ROD RACK, AND PRIMARY MAGAZINE As illustrated in FIG. 1, an elevator motor means 400 is secured with the secondary magazine 15 adjacent one of the cross members 357 by any suitable means such as welding or the like. The motor; means 400 rotates a continuous link chain 401 which is secured by a suitable sprocket (not shown) to drive a continuously rotatable shaft 402. The continuous rotatable shaft 402 is supported by bearing means (not shown) secured with extension members 403 of the cross members 357. Each of the plurality of elevators 14 includes an inverted channel member 404 which is provided with bearings secured at its upper end 404a for mounting on shaft 402. Thus, the channel members 404 are pivotally mounted on shaft 402. A bracket support member 406 as illustrated in FIG. 3 is secured adjacent the other end 404b of the support member 404 and receives the arm 407. The arm 407 is pivotally supported adjacent one end on the secondary magazine base member 355 by a swivel block 408. The swivel block 408 'has adjusting nuts 408a to permit rod 407 to be lengthened or shortened and thereby Vary the angle of the elevator relative to the secondary magazine 15.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, each of the elevators 14 includes a sprocket 408 secured on the shaft 402, which sprocket 408 receives a continuous link chain 409. A rotatable shaft 410 (FIG. 3) is mounted by any suitable bearing means on the member 404 adjacent the lower end 404b of channel member 404 to enable the sprockets 41] (FIG. 15) to be mounted thereon.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a pair of rod carrying mem bers 413 and 414 is secured and mounted on each con tinuous link chain 409 at equal intervals therealong to elevate rods R from the chamfering mechanism 13 to the secondary magazine 15.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a guide 415 is abutted adjacent an end 50011 of a slanted cross member 500l of the chamfering mechanism 13 and extends outwardly toward the sprockets 411 to enable rods to roll from the chamfering mechanism 13 toward the elevators 14. The rods R are contacted by the carrying members 413 and 414 and are moved upwardly toward the cross members 357 of the secondary magazine.

As the rods approach the secondary magazine 15, they contact a curved member 418 which is curved on one end 418a such that the rods R will ride along the outer surface of the curved member 418 and then roll olf the other end 418b of the curved member 418 onto the cross members 357 of the secondary magazine 355. The curved members 418 are in planes which are higher than the outer diameter of sprockets 408 and thus assure discharge of the rods R from the elevators before the carrying members 413 and 414 move around the sprockets.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rod rack 11 of the present invention 10 and primary magazine 12 have common base yor support members 420. A plurality of pairs of vertical legs 421 and 422 (FIG. 3) extends upwardly from the base 420 and is secured with a longitudinal support member 423 and support member 424 which is a common support member for the rod rack 11 and primary magazine 12.. A plurality of horizontal cross members 425 for supporting the rods R and cross members `426 is secured with the members 423 and 424. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rod rack 11 receives a plurality of rods R which are stacked on the cross members 425 for movement of the stacked rods R onto the primary magazine 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the primary magazine 12 includes a plurality of slanted braces 430 (only one of which is shown). A slanted rod receiving cross member 431 is secured by any suitable means such as welding to the slanted brace 430 adjacent one end thereof and is secured by any suitable means such as welding to the member 424 and leg 421 on the rod rack for receiving a plurality of rods R. A stop member 435 is secured to each of the slanted members 431 adjacent the end of the primary magazine 12.

The primary ejection means generally designated at 390' operates substantially by the same means and manner as the secondary ejection means 210 described hereinabove and includes a hydraulic cylinder 436 with a bracket 437 secured to its back end 436:1, which bracket 437 is pivotally mounted by suitable means (not numbered) to leg member 421 in the same manner as the secondary ejection means 210 described hereinabove. A piston rod 440 extends outwardly from the front of the cylinder 436 and is secured by a suitable pivot means (not numbered) to an arm 441 of a collar 442 rigidly secured with rotatable shaft 443, which shaft 443 extends parallel to and longitudinally of an angle beam 445 of the primary magazine 12. It is supported in suitable bearing and bracket (unnumbered) -on braces 430. The rotatable shaft 443 is secured to each of collars 441 similarly to the shaft 369 and collars of the secondary ejection means 210.

A slotted arm 446 is secured by means of a collar (unnumbered) at one end with the shaft 443 and at the other end receives a pin (not numbered) in a slot (not numbered) of the arm 446. The pin is secured to a primary ejector blade 447 which is retained in a slotted guide member 448 in a manner similar to the secondary ejection means 210 explained hereinabove.

As previously described `with regard to FIG. 13, when the rods R move downwardly along the cross members 57 to expose the wheel and plunger 386 to enable the wheel and plunger 386 of the microswitch 385 to move upwardly to actuate a solenoid, the solenoid moves a spring loaded valve to a position so that the primary magazine hydraulic cylinder 436 is supplied with fluid through a valve to move the piston in the cylinder 436 inwardly, which also thereby causes the piston rod 440 to move inwardly. Such movement of the piston rod 440 (FIG. 3) causes the arm 441 to rotate toward the cylinder 436 which rotates the shaft 443 and in turn moves the slotted arm 446 upwardly. As the arm 446 moves upwardly, this moves the primary magazine ejector blades 447 upwardly to eject a rod from the primary magazine onto slanted guide means 451 to convey it to the chamfering mechanism. The ejector blades 447 on the primary magazine will remain up as shown in FIGS. 3, 19, and until the rod R is chamfered and conveyed to the secondary magazine 15. When the rod R rolls from the position shown in dotted line in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 14, the microswitch arm 385 is depressed which actuates the solenoid and the spring loaded valve connected therewith moves to a position to conduct uid to the opposite end of cylinder 436 to retract primary ejector blades 447. This permits the rods R on the primary magazine to move against stop 435 and in position for the next ejection cycle. The stops 435 on the primary magazine and the stops 380 on the secondary magazine are adjustably supported on the primary magazine and secondary magazine, respectively, in any suitable manner so that they may be adjusted relative to the ejector bladecs and thereby accommodate different size rods As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 19, and 20, guide members 451 are slidably carried in block members 452g, which block members are pivotally supported on a rod 452 that extends adjacent the member 445. The rod 452 is in turn secured to 445 by suitable brackets 453 (FIG. 1). Thus, the guides 451 may be pivoted upwardly from contact with member 501 or the vice means 529 of the chamfering mechanism and may be moved along the rod 452.

CHAMFERING MECHANISM As illustrated in FIG. 15, the chamfering head mechanism 13 includes a base member 470 for receiving two parallel I beam supports 471 and 472 for holding in position a plurality of rod racks generally designated at 473 positioned between the vice means 529. Each of the rod racks 473 is secured to each of the I beams 471 and 472 by a pair of parallel plates 474 and 475, one of which plates 475 is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the inner upper lips 476 of each of the I beams 471 and 472 and the other of which plates 474 is positioned on the upper surface of such lips 476. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the plates 474 and 475 are bolted together by suitable nut and bolt means 477. A pair of tubes 478 and 479 is secured by any suitable means such as bolts or the like to the upper surface 474a of the plate 474 adjacent one of each of the I beams 471 or 472 and each receives an elon- 16 gated threaded bolt 480 and 481, respectively. A wheel 482 has a threaded sleeve which telescopes partially over each of the tube members 478 and 479 and threadedly engages with each of the elongated bolts 480 and 481, respectively. The wheels 482 may thus be rotated to extend and retract the upper ends of the bolts y480 and 48-1.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, each of the bolts 480` and 481 extends upwardly and is pivotally secured to the cross member 500 which is illustrated as being positioned such that the end 500a thereof is lower than the other end 500!) of such member. An elevation member 510 is bolted at one end 510a with bolt means 511 to the upper surface of the cross member 500. The elevation member 510 extends upwardly to a point 512 and then slopes gradually down toward the end 500erand guide member 415. A suitable support -block S14 is mounted between the member 510 and cross member 500 to keep the member 510 elevated from the cross member 500. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the members 451 extending from the rod 452 also contact one of each of the elevation members 510.

FIG. 15A is a diagrammatic view of a rod when supported on the racks `473 and engaged adjacent each end by vice means 529. More particularly, by referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that at least three or four racks 473 are spaced longitudinally between the vice means 529. FIG. 15A shows that preferably the centermost racks 473 are elevated with respect to the racks 473 on each side thereof so that the central portion of rod R is bowed relative to the ends. This facilitates ejection of the rod from the vice means 529 of the chamfering mechanism as will be described in greater detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and `20, when a rod is ejected by the primary ejector blades 447 off the primary magazine 12, it rolls down the guide means 451 in the direction of the arrow 525 to contact a depressible lever 526. As the rod R rolls over the lever 526, it depresses microswitch plunger 527 to actuate a solenoid which inturn operates a valve to supply fluid to cylinder 528 to close the gripping means generally designated at 529. After the gripping or vice means 529 is closed, as shown in FIG. 20, a continuously rotatable chamfer head generally designated at 530 is moved inwardly to chamfer the end of the rod R. After the rod R is chamfered, the end of the rod R actuates a microswitch to cause the chamfer head 530 to move outwardly away from the end of the rod R as will be brought out hereinbelow. The actuation of the microswitch of the chamfer head 530 also then causes the gripping means 529 to release the rod R and enables the chamfer ejection means generally designated at 531 to eject the rod R onto a guide member 532, which guide member 532 is similar to guide member 415 abutted with the cross member 500 of the racks 473.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pair of the gripping means 529 is spaced longitudinally along the I bea-ms 471 and 472 with one of the gripping means 529 being positioned adjacent the chamfer head 530 and the other gripping means 529 being spaced a suitable distance therefrom to receive the end portion of the rod R spaced from the chamfer head 530.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20, and 25, the gripping means 529 spaced farthest from the chamfer head 530 is adjustable for movement parallel to the beams 471 and 472 so that the gripping means 529 may be adjusted to accommodate various lengths of the rods R. A rod 540 is positioned parallel to each of the lbeams 471 and 472 and is secured to its respective beam 471 and 472 by a longitudinally extending member 541 which is mounted on beams 471 and 472, respectively, in any suitable manner. A plurality of slidable block members 545 is each provided with an opening for sliding along the space bars 540, and the blocks 545 support a plate member 546 therebetween. There is a block member 545 at each corner of the plate 546, and each block is provided with a screw 540a to lock it against rod 540. Plate member 546 supports a pair of longitudinally extending iblock 

